Comparative analysis of longitudinal growth stress and strain in Acer spp. and Quercus castaneifolia trees grown in the West part of Mazandaran, Iran

The present study is conducted to measure longitudinal growth stress and strain in the trees observed in the west part of Mazandaran region and also to compare the current phenomena in two tree species of Acer spp and Quercus Castaneifolia. The selected species are generally grown in the forests located in the highest point of the west part of Chalous River, i.e. southwest corner of Chalous city. Employing the single-hole method proposed by CIRAD, a French research center, the growth stresses index was determined according to the longitudinal growth residual strain value along the stem. The findings suggest that the stress and strain levels in these species are highly influenced by various features such as the age and diameter of the tree, the wood type (the reaction wood), the surface slope, and the wind. Moreover, as Acer spp and Quercus Castaneifolia are both extremely sensitive to the environmental elements, their recorded stress and strain values are relatively high that is clearly evident in the corresponding longitudinal growth residual strain. The average measured longitudinal strain in Acer spp and Quercus Castaneifolia were equal to 76 micron and 82 micron, respectively.